Cash versus Credit Card over Pursers desk

[katie11]

I would like to know others opinions on putting cash over the front desk at the beginning of our cruise instead of giving Credit Card details for on board expenses. I have read of others being charged wrongfully on their CC and then having problems having these charges re-instated. I would appreciate any feedback on this. Thanks.

[cr8tiv1]

You would have to put down a lot of cash to cover gratuity and other incidentals. They may not allow you to charge at the store or at the bar if there is not enough credit on your account. Plus you would have to stand in line to do so. I've traveled with two others that had their credit cards denied...while we were out to sea. Bank's fault each time. It was quite a hassle to get this straightened out. Both required calls from at sea (both cruise lines picked up the cost of the calls). Both passengers had to deposit cash at the front desk.

 

I've never had trouble using my credit card. You could always file a dispute and not pay it until it is resolved.

[MicCanberra]

Cash should be fine, but they may want CC details as an insurance for anything outstanding on your account.:D

[paul929207]

i have always used a CC and never had a problem

[skynight]

The easiest way to cover on board folio charges is with a credit or debit card on file with Princess. If you wish to deposit cash to your account you can do it, and your account will show a credit balance. I would not remove the credit/debit card from your file in case you over spend and have a debit (positive) balance at the end of the day. Each evening in the early AM hours Princess places a hold on your card for any new positive balance. If there is no positive balance, no hold. If you do go positive, you can deposit additional cash. No problem. At the end of the cruise your account will be charged for any balance. Any over payment will be refunded. The use of cash vs. credit card is really a personal financial choice. You must enter a credit or debit card number on the cruise personalizer in order to print out your boarding pass. Once printed the number can be removed, but I would not recommend it.

[caribill]

I have never had an incorrect credit card charge from a ship's account.

 

However, I have had incorrect amounts on the ship's account which I resolved before the end of the cruise.

 

Periodically check the charges on your onboard account. You can easily get a printout from machines near the purser's desk or at the purser's desk.

 

If you see any questionable charges, bring this to the attention of the purser's desk to get resolved.

 

Using cash does not eliminate the problem. Incorrect charges will just be subtracted from your cash deposit.

 

On disembarkation morning, make a last check using the printed final statement that is delivered to your cabin. If any errors, join the long line at the Purser's desk to get them resolved.

[pusywillow]

I have never had an incorrect credit card charge from a ship's account.

 

However, I have had incorrect amounts on the ship's account which I resolved before the end of the cruise.

 

Periodically check the charges on your onboard account. You can easily get a printout from machines near the purser's desk or at the purser's desk.

 

If you see any questionable charges, bring this to the attention of the purser's desk to get resolved.

 

Using cash does not eliminate the problem. Incorrect charges will just be subtracted from your cash deposit.

 

On disembarkation morning, make a last check using the printed final statement that is delivered to your cabin. If any errors, join the long line at the Purser's desk to get them resolved.

 

IMO This is your best bet. Check your onboard account via the kiosks and if you see a mistake, have it taken care of right away at the Purser's desk.

[cdngrl]

The easiest way to cover on board folio charges is with a credit or debit card on file with Princess. If you wish to deposit cash to your account you can do it, and your account will show a credit balance. I would not remove the credit/debit card from your file in case you over spend and have a debit (positive) balance at the end of the day. Each evening in the early AM hours Princess places a hold on your card for any new positive balance. If there is no positive balance, no hold. If you do go positive, you can deposit additional cash. No problem. At the end of the cruise your account will be charged for any balance. Any over payment will be refunded. The use of cash vs. credit card is really a personal financial choice. You must enter a credit or debit card number on the cruise personalizer in order to print out your boarding pass. Once printed the number can be removed, but I would not recommend it.

 

terrific answer.

they have my credit card number but I go and put cash on my account so I only have a small balance if any that gets put on my credit card at the end.

Edited May 8, 2014 by cdngrl

[katie11]

Thanks for your answer regarding cash v credit card.

The reason I asked this question is that last year on our cruise to China, I had a problem with my credit card [CC] with the Pursers desk. I had given CC details prior when we booked the cruise. My intentions were to pay cash and keep the CC free.

In my excitement of joining the cruise and meeting friends etc. I forgot to cancel the CC and pay cash over the desk, which was my intention all along. I didn’t realise this for a few days, until a tour we had organised in China with an independent operator, tried to access my CC only to find there was insufficient funds available, as Princess was taking our on board expenses out each day.

I quickly realised my error and promptly paid a considerable amount of cash over the desk to pay for what we had already spent and cover us for the rest of the cruise, thinking that this would free up my CC, but no, it didn’t. My account still showed pending transactions of what we had spent. I had numerous emails back to my financial institution, visits to the desk and even a talk to the Purser, only to get differing answers from each person I saw, all assuring me that these amounts would disappear off my CC.

Even when we were booking in to a hotel in Beijing, there still was not enough in the CC to cover us.

It wasn’t until we returned home and I made calls to our bank, did this matter clear up.

Apparently any charges made and then credited back take 10 days to disappear off the balance, but none of this was apparent until my call to the bank.

The next cruise should not be a problem as we don’t have tours organised afterwards and I have increased the limit of my card.

But, my reason for asking this question was that by paying cash, then there shouldn't be any discrepancies with the CC.

[pusywillow]

Thanks for your answer regarding cash v credit card.

The reason I asked this question is that last year on our cruise to China, I had a problem with my credit card [CC] with the Pursers desk. I had given CC details prior when we booked the cruise. My intentions were to pay cash and keep the CC free.

In my excitement of joining the cruise and meeting friends etc. I forgot to cancel the CC and pay cash over the desk, which was my intention all along. I didn’t realise this for a few days, until a tour we had organised in China with an independent operator, tried to access my CC only to find there was insufficient funds available, as Princess was taking our on board expenses out each day.

I quickly realised my error and promptly paid a considerable amount of cash over the desk to pay for what we had already spent and cover us for the rest of the cruise, thinking that this would free up my CC, but no, it didn’t. My account still showed pending transactions of what we had spent. I had numerous emails back to my financial institution, visits to the desk and even a talk to the Purser, only to get differing answers from each person I saw, all assuring me that these amounts would disappear off my CC.

Even when we were booking in to a hotel in Beijing, there still was not enough in the CC to cover us.

It wasn’t until we returned home and I made calls to our bank, did this matter clear up.

Apparently any charges made and then credited back take 10 days to disappear off the balance, but none of this was apparent until my call to the bank.

The next cruise should not be a problem as we don’t have tours organised afterwards and I have increased the limit of my card.

But, my reason for asking this question was that by paying cash, then there shouldn't be any discrepancies with the CC.

 

You can also give yourself onboard credit before you leave for your cruise. See the gift and services section on your Personalizer.

[Ldyandrea]

I would like to know others opinions on putting cash over the front desk at the beginning of our cruise instead of giving Credit Card details for on board expenses. I have read of others being charged wrongfully on their CC and then having problems having these charges re-instated. I would appreciate any feedback on this. Thanks.

 

I used to use a CC, and had a couple of issues like that in the past. Since then, I have converted to just paying cash when I get on board, and have never had a problem since. You do have to monitor your account to make sure you're not running low; also it couldn't hurt to have a CC as a stand-by in case you need it at the end because you needed to buy whatever Thing You Wanted that you didn't expect to buy. :D

[Fletch1]

The easiest way to cover on board folio charges is with a credit or debit card on file with Princess. If you wish to deposit cash to your account you can do it, and your account will show a credit balance. I would not remove the credit/debit card from your file in case you over spend and have a debit (positive) balance at the end of the day. Each evening in the early AM hours Princess places a hold on your card for any new positive balance. If there is no positive balance, no hold. If you do go positive, you can deposit additional cash. No problem. At the end of the cruise your account will be charged for any balance. Any over payment will be refunded. The use of cash vs. credit card is really a personal financial choice. You must enter a credit or debit card number on the cruise personalizer in order to print out your boarding pass. Once printed the number can be removed, but I would not recommend it.

 

 

I agree with this answer, but I always check my account throughout the cruise. I have never had an issue with over payment of my account on my credit card at the end of the cruise, but have had found many "errors" on the account during the cruise, which I have had rectified before disembarkation.

[MicCanberra]

I agree with this answer, but I always check my account throughout the cruise. I have never had an issue with over payment of my account on my credit card at the end of the cruise, but have had found many "errors" on the account during the cruise, which I have had rectified before disembarkation.

 

I agree, it is always better to get on top of a situation before too much time has passed. Nip it in the bud so to speak.:D

[amazinglife]

Forgive me if this has been repeated but I did not read the other posts. We give a credit card at embarkation but the night before the cruise ends we go to pursers desk and pay our folio off in cash. They will give you a receipt. Your credit card will have a zero balance :)

[caribill]

Forgive me if this has been repeated but I did not read the other posts. We give a credit card at embarkation but the night before the cruise ends we go to pursers desk and pay our folio off in cash. They will give you a receipt. Your credit card will have a zero balance :)

 

Correct, but it up to your bank how long temporary holds will remain on your credit card account.

[PiraticalGirl]

We're thinking of doing cash and wondering how much is required/recommended to setup an account. We're 2 adults and 1 child on a 7 day to Alaska. Thanks in advance for any help :)

[RickEk]

We're thinking of doing cash and wondering how much is required/recommended to setup an account. We're 2 adults and 1 child on a 7 day to Alaska. Thanks in advance for any help :)

 

If you have a credit card on file, then you can put whatever you want on your folio. They'll use that cash before they charge your card. If you don't have a card on file, then I believe they will require $300 per person.

[PiraticalGirl]

Awesome info, thanks Rick!

 

 

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[MicCanberra]

If you have a credit card on file, then you can put whatever you want on your folio. They'll use that cash before they charge your card. If you don't have a card on file, then I believe they will require $300 per person.

 

We have often gifted ourselves OBC to more or less prepay our account, then the CC takes care of the remainder.:D

[cr8tiv1]

We're thinking of doing cash and wondering how much is required/recommended to setup an account. We're 2 adults and 1 child on a 7 day to Alaska. Thanks in advance for any help :)

 

Gratuities: $11.50 per day (interior to balcony) times 3 people times 7 days equals $241.50 minimum. This does not include any bar tabs, casino plays, shopping, tips at specialty restaurants, spa treatments and tips, tips to the children watchers, room service, etc.

 

$11.50 times 3 will be added to your portfolio nightly by the hotel manager (staff).

[elliair]

We always use our CC and pay it off when we get home. Never had a problem of being overcharged. Keep all your receipts when you purchase something and look over your S&S final invoice the last day of the cruise. Easier to dispute it then, than after the fact. We also take advantage of the 5% cash back we get when using our CC on board.

[caribill]

We also take advantage of the 5% cash back we get when using our CC on board.

 

What credit card gives you 5% cash back for use on a cruise ship?

[caribill]

Gratuities: $11.50 per day (interior to balcony) times 3 people times 7 days equals $241.50 minimum. This does not include any bar tabs, casino plays, shopping, tips at specialty restaurants, spa treatments and tips, tips to the children watchers, room service, etc.

 

$11.50 times 3 will be added to your portfolio nightly by the hotel manager (staff).

 

Also need to add cash for any Princess shore excursions you will be taking.

[MicCanberra]

What credit card gives you 5% cash back for use on a cruise ship?

 

That sounds interesting, 5% can work on cancelling any international exchange fees.:D

[skynight]

We're thinking of doing cash and wondering how much is required/recommended to setup an account. We're 2 adults and 1 child on a 7 day to Alaska. Thanks in advance for any help :)

You have to do your homework to figure out the amount.

 

As stated the "Hotel Charge" (auto tip) will be $11.50/pp/day for inside, outside and balcony cabins. Mini and full suites are charged $12/pp/day. So the starting point is either $241.50 or $252.00.

To that number add:

Price of Princess Tours which can be found in My Princess

Then estimate charges for items like alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks, soda stickers, coffee card, on board stores, photos, casino, bingo, spa treatments, specialty restaurant dining. These all go onto your on board folio.

 

Cash is also required for additional cash tips to room stewards, waiters, youth center personnel, room service. These type of items are not on your on board folio.